going pretty well

USAGE SUMMARY

"going pretty well" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been progressing in a satisfactory manner. For example, "I've been working on this project for a few weeks now and it's going pretty well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everything's going pretty well.

The Guardian - Sport

Narrator thought it was going pretty well.

The New Yorker

"Tennis in Italy is going pretty well.

The New York Times

And right now it's going pretty well".

The New York Times

"I think we are going pretty well".

The New York Times

"Touch wood, it's going pretty well.

The New Yorker

I think so far things have been going pretty well.

University of California, Berkeley

And the early indications are that it's going pretty well.

The New York Times

ME: Everything seemed to be going pretty well.

The New Yorker

THINGS have been going pretty well for the Philippines recently.

The Economist

"By that time, things were going pretty well for me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going pretty well" to describe a situation that is generally positive but not necessarily exceptional. It indicates a moderate level of success or progress.

Common error

Avoid using "going pretty well" when the situation warrants a stronger expression of success. For example, if something is exceeding expectations, opt for phrases like "going exceptionally well" or "exceeding all expectations" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going pretty well" functions as a predicate adjective describing the state or progress of a subject. It indicates that things are proceeding in a satisfactory or positive manner. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going pretty well" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a situation that is progressing satisfactorily. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and widespread use. Its primary function is to convey a positive, though not necessarily exceptional, assessment. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for a variety of settings. While "going pretty well" is widely accepted, it is important to be mindful of the specific context and choose alternatives such as "progressing nicely" or "working out smoothly" in formal writing or when a more emphatic expression is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working out smoothly

Highlights the ease and lack of complications in the process.

progressing nicely

Focuses on the advancement aspect, suggesting steady improvement.

coming along nicely

Suggests a pleasant and agreeable progression, with a slightly informal tone.

shaping up positively

Implies a promising development or arrangement, suggesting a favorable outcome.

doing quite alright

Emphasizes an acceptable or satisfactory state, with a slightly more casual tone.

unfolding successfully

Emphasizes the positive outcome and achievement of goals.

developing favorably

Focuses on the positive direction of development or growth.

proceeding swimmingly

Implies a smooth and effortless advancement, often used in a lighthearted manner.

advancing steadily

Highlights the continuous and consistent nature of the progress.

faring satisfactorily

Formal alternative, indicating an acceptable level of performance or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "going pretty well" in a sentence?

You can use "going pretty well" to describe the progress of a project, a personal endeavor, or any situation that's unfolding positively. For example: "The new marketing campaign is "going pretty well", with a significant increase in leads."

What are some alternatives to "going pretty well"?

Alternatives to "going pretty well" include phrases like "progressing nicely", "working out smoothly", or "coming along nicely" depending on the specific context.

Is "going pretty well" appropriate for formal writing?

While "going pretty well" is widely understood, it leans towards the informal side. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "faring satisfactorily" or "developing favorably" to maintain a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "going pretty well" and "going very well"?

"Going very well" suggests a higher degree of success or progress than "going pretty well". "Going pretty well" implies moderate success, while "going very well" indicates a more significant positive outcome.